World News

Actions

Russia Criticizes UK's Boris Johnson For Comparing Putin To Hitler

Johnson said he agreed with a lawmaker's suggestion that Vladimir Putin wants to use the World Cup to gloss over a "brutal, corrupt regime."
Russia Criticizes UK's Boris Johnson For Comparing Putin To Hitler
Posted

U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and the Kremlin are at it again. This time, it's over Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup soccer tournament.

During a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Johnson said he agreed with a lawmaker's suggestion that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to use the World Cup to gloss over a "brutal, corrupt regime."

The lawmaker compared Putin's intentions to Adolf Hitler's use of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

"I think the comparison with 1936 is certainly right. I think it's an emetic prospect, frankly, to think of Putin glorying in this sporting event," Johnson said.

A spokesperson for the Kremlin shot back at Johnson's comments Thursday. 

He told reporters, "This is a completely disgusting statement, and it does not fit the foreign minister of the country, of any country. Undoubtedly, it is offensive and unacceptable."

Johnson has repeatedly criticized Russia over a nerve gas attack that left a former spy and his daughter in critical condition. Russia has denied any involvement in the attack.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.